Three Men Convicted in Blenheim Palace Gold Toilet Heist

Michael Jones has been convicted of stealing a solid gold toilet, valued at around £4.8 million, from Blenheim Palace in a highly audacious heist in September 2019. The theft was carried out by a group of five men who broke in with sledgehammers and took the artwork, titled 'America' by Maurizio Cattelan, in just five minutes. Despite the conviction, the toilet has never been recovered and is believed to have been broken up for its gold. Judge Ian Pringle described the crime as 'not a bog-standard burglary,' emphasizing its boldness and the significant rewards for the thieves. Three other defendants are still facing charges related to the conspiracy to transfer the stolen property. The incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combatting art theft.